With fans still hoping to get David Ayer’sSuicide Squadcut released nearly a decade after the theatrical version of theDCfilm, the director shares a new update about those possibilities. WhileZack Snyder’s Justice Leaguecut got released after years of campaigning, fans ofthe DCEU movie timelinestill want another director’s cut to get its time to shine when it comes to Ayers’sSuicide Squadmovie in 2016. However, DC Studios is currently building its new DC Universe, with James Gunn and Peter Safran paving a new era for DC in live-action and animation.
In a new interview withThe Hollywood Reporter, Ayer was asked if things have remained radio silent when it comes to getting his originalSuicide Squadcut released in the midst of DC Studios' new DC Universe franchise. While Ayer reaffirmed that he has spoken with James Gunn,he stressed that the DCU’s success is currently the main priority for DC Studios, as he stated the following:
David Ayer: Yeah, for sure. When I did speak with James [Gunn], he wanted to [first] get some scores on the board. DC has its history and its legacy, and it’s taking some work to reestablish that IP and get it moving in the direction they want. So it’s absolutely fair for them to do that.
THR: It’s a tricky thing. The previous regime likely hoped that the release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League would satisfy the fans enough for them to move on to their new stuff. But all it did was increase their appetite even more for the Snyderverse (including the Ayer cut).
David Ayer: Yeah, maybe with enough time, it’ll be seen as a more nostalgic thing. But just for the sake of everybody that worked on [2016’s Suicide Squad], it really does deserve to be seen. I am incredibly proud of the work I did there. But at the same time, it’s not my IP, and it’s not my studio. So I absolutely understand what James is doing, and I think he’s going to have some real successes with the lanes he’s going down.
While it’s clear that Ayer is patient and wants to also seethe DCU timelinethrive and get it its time to breathe in peace, it’s also crucial to take into account what it would mean to release his originalSuicide Squadcut. Even though many changes were made to the 2016 cut, the theatrical version ofSuicide Squadwas still a major profit for Warner Bros., as it made nearly $750 million dollars at the worldwide box office. This may have played a role in why the studio went forward withThe Suicide Squad, despite Gunn being the one to take over for Ayer.
As Ayer has discussed, the focus for DC right now is on building the new DC Universe, rather than looking back at the DCEU timeline. Since it was made clear at the end of 2023 thatAquaman and the Lost Kingdomwas the final installment in the DCEU, releasing the Ayer cut ofSuicide Squadnow could risk confusing audiences. However, a few years after the DCU has gotten properly established, putting out the Ayer Cut on Max - similar to the Snyder Cut - could be more doable and not feel like DC Studios giving conflicting statements.
The only challenge that would get in the way of Ayer’sSuicide Squadcut is if the DCU decides to reimagine the team in the main continuity, which would likely make DC Studios not want to release his original version. Having the DCU’s hypothetical new version of Suicide Squad at the same time as they release the Ayer Cut would only make it confusing.
Our Take On David Ayer’s Comments
While it’s great to hear that Ayer and Gunn have had positive conversations about hisSuicide Squadcut potentially appearing on screens, time will tell if they will actually release it in the coming years. If hisSuicide Squadcut never gets released, it would be great instead to see Ayer taking part in Gunn’s DCU franchise through other characters, especially as there are a lot of huge players that he could tackle. But until then, the world will have to wait and see if anything ever happens to Ayer’sSuicide Squadcut.
Suicide Squad
Cast
The Suicide Squad team is made up of villains, captured and kept in a secret prison, and offered reduced sentences if they participate in dangerous missions. In the tradition of continuity within DCEU films, the event comes in the wake of Superman’s death and the seclusion of Batman after the events that occurred in Batman V Superman. Agency head Amanda Waller, played by award-winning actress Viola Davis, is the one striking deals with the inmates of Belle Reve Prison. Heading “Task Force X” is Joel Kinnaman’s Rick Flag, alongside Will Smith’s Deadshot, Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn, Jai Courtney’s Captain Boomerang, Jay Hernandez’s El Diablo, Adewale Akinnuoye’s Killer Croc, and Adam Beach’s Slipknot. Karen Fukuhara’s Katana also joins the mission to keep Rick safe from the villains. Jared Leto (Joker) and Ben Affleck (Batman) have smaller roles in David Ayer’sSuicide Squad, as does Cara Delevingne’s Enchantress.
